Darryn, if you are considering leaving the club, at least go for a parting shot:

Next time, shout and don't change course. Force your way in any shape or form. Slow down, try not to hit anyone, but DO NOT TACK. Bonus point for slowing down right in the middle of the fleet so that everyone is forced to avoid you.

Having a camera running would be really nice. But do not tell anyone before. Capture them on their worst behavior.

Then protest whoever did not make a hole for you in the first place. Also protest every single boat that shouted insults at you. Go to the protest committee.

Right at the beginning of each protest hearing, pass to the commitee a letter asking that the finding of the committee be communicated to you in writing (rule 65.2)

Next put on record that you consider all sharpie sailor or class member on the protest committee to be "interested parties". Any family member of a sailor on the course is also an "interested party". Ask them to recuse themselves due to a pattern of intimidation by Sharpie sailors. Insist that these comments are captured in writing if they do not recuse themselves (Rule 63.4: Interested party).

Demand that *only* the representative of the protested boat be present, not the full crew. The crew can only be admitted to give evidence and must then move out of the room (Rule 63.3: Right to be present).

If your protest is valid, they have to disqualify them. If they don't, lodge an appeal with your national authority.


Rules are rules. Use them.

And don't be afraid to shame the club publicly by posting your story on as many place as possible. Hey, write a nice report about the unfairness of it and you may even get a shot at the front page of SA: that's when the **** hits the fan